CODY

Again got nothing and again, digging into the archives. This is a sweet dog story that I am reworking from 2009. 
As some of you know, when I left my low paying bank job, I became a much better paid beginning meter reader with the power company. 

Meter reading was  hot, strenuous, often dangerous work, but there were more times when it was the best job ever.

I had no boss over my shoulder and I worked out doors, my favorite place to be. I was in the best condition of my life.   Sure I was attacked and bitten by dogs 13 times but then there were the "Cody" types that still make me smile.

From the first day I arrived, I had heard the story of Cody. He was a very large German Shepard and the meter reader's friend. This was unusual for a good number of dogs considered us, mail carriers, and UPS as "game" to be chased and chewed on.

Cody lived in a middle income area that was plagued with chain link fences. Fences are not the meter reader's friend. Fences actually were the bane of our existence. They had to be hurdled, well the guys hurdled. Being a shorty, I climbed up and dropped over in a three step move.   

I had been with the company for almost a year before I drew Cody's route. When it finally came up, I was really excited. I was going to meet a legend.

The route started right at Cody's house. I parked in front of his home, went to the door and rang the bell. A large dog started barking inside. I heard him slam against the door and the clicking of large claws. For a second, I was afraid I had been 'punked' and that Cody was really a monster dog who loved meter readers---to eat.

The door opened as far as the security chain would let it and a lady asked what I wanted.

"I'm Patti the meter reader," I informed her, "Can Cody come out to play?"

She laughed and told me he had been waiting all morning for me. It seems he knew when read day came and was up with the birds in anticipation. With that, she let the very large and beautiful Shepherd out and he was all over me in a good way.

Not Cody but the sweet eyes are perfect.

"Have a good day." She ordered Cody and I , then shut the door trusting us both completely.

I wasn't sure how this worked so I started off with Cody prancing at my side. The first fence I came to, I didn't know what to do with him. Afraid to let him in, I pet his head and squeezed through the gate leaving him outside. The next three yards were fenced so I climbed out of one into the next.

In the last yard I used the gate and there sat Cody with a tongue out grin. I had no need to worry. He had done the route so often that he knew just where I would be coming out. He had memorized the path taken to each of the houses. The joy he would greet me with was heart warming. Till that day, he had never seen me, but on that day, I was a fun friend.

This went on the whole day and I had a wonderful time with my quiet friend. He walked in a perfect 'heel,' glued to my side unless I had to leave him for a fenced yard. I made sure he got water when I did and he never showed any sign of boredom.

I really felt badly when the day was over and I had to take him back home. I gratefully thanked the lady for the loan of her dog and she thanked me for giving Cody a grand day. I was convinced that every route needed a Cody. He was a boon companion for a solitary job.

It was about a year later that we got the sad news. Cody was not doing well and could no longer go with the meter readers. He was suffering from age and arthritis. It was just too painful for him to walk all day with us. We were about 20 in number and most of us had enjoyed the pleasure of Cody's company as he had performed this ritual this for years. He was going to be really missed. Even the most devout dog hater among us was saddened.

We took up a collection and had a bronze plaque made that had the face of a Shepherd embossed and the wording,

CODY

THE FINEST DOG IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

FROM YOUR GRATEFUL FRIENDS

It was a smart looking plaque set on a wooden base which we all signed. We also got him a huge sirloin steak and we made an appointment to see him as a group.

When we went for the presentation, Cody was obviously lame and though he got up slowly, he wagged his tail big time seeing all his friends in one room. Dogs do grin by the way and he about split his face grinning that day.

The plaque really pleased his owner but Cody had his eye on the large, great smelling package. She promised he would get every bit of the steak. His owner cried that day and so did most of us, especially the girls. It was hugs all around.

We no longer knocked on the door to see if Cody could come out to play. His owner said it upset him too much and he would whine and cry the whole day whenever he heard us in his yard. We let her read her own meter from then on so he couldn't hear us.

Cody eventually passed but his legend was being told to each new reader long after he was gone. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if the meter readers from that office today also know the story of a dog named Cody.

Hope you all have as fun a Labor day as the new rules allow.